In a court hearing, a judge threw out Boseneiler’s appeal of a city Electoral Board decision to remove him from the ballot.

The two remaining candidates are Mayor David Blanton and City Clerk Bill Wescott.

After the hearing, the Rock Falls businessman said he would file as a write-in candidate. Although the deadline for write-ins has passed, Boseneiler was allowed extra time because of his appeal.

In January, Mark Searing, the city’s building inspector, challenged Boseneiler’s candidacy, contending, among other things, that the candidate hadn’t paid $150 in city fines before he filed. Boseneiler paid the fines a few hours after filing his candidacy.

At Friday’s hearing, attorney Tom Sanders, who represented the Electoral Board, said the court had no standing to rule on the appeal because Boseneiler failed to meet notice requirements. He cited an appellate court ruling to make his case.

While Boseneiler served notice on Searing and City Attorney Jim Reese, he did not do so for members of the Electoral Board, as state law requires, Sanders said.